Creating a Fit Between BPR and IT Infrastructure: A Proposed Framework for Effective Implementation

As business imperatives change and new high-capability information technologies (IT) appear, organizations recognize the need to remain at the forefront of change by reengineering their business processes and implementing enabling responsive IT infrastructures. However, experience in this context indicates a lack of comprehension of essential elements and their mutual relationships that can contribute to the success of business-process change-implementation efforts. This article proposes a framework for managing IT for effective business-process redesign (BPR) implementation. After establishing BPR principles, components, and the relationship of BPR to some organizational and technological approaches, it presents the role and benefits of IT in BPR. The article then discusses in detail the core elements of the framework. Its theme is that an IT infrastructure that covers issues of BPR strategy development, IT strategic alignment, IT infrastructure development, IT sourcing, legacy systems reengineering, IS integration, and IS function competence is essential and critical for effective implementation.     

Laser Doppler Flare Imaging and Quantitative Thermal Thresholds Testing Performance in Small and Mixed Fiber Neuropathies

IntroductionSmall fiber neuropathy might be a part of typical mixed small and large fiber neuropathy, or a distinct entity, affecting exclusively small nerve fibers.ObjectivesExplore the utility of small nerve fiber testing in patients with clinical presentation suggesting small fiber neuropathy, with and without evidence for concomitant large fiber neuropathy.MethodsPatients attending the neuromuscular clinic from 2012 to 2015 with a clinical presentation suggesting small nerve fiber impairment, who had Laser Doppler flare imaging (LDI_Flare) and quantitative thermal testing (QTT) were evaluated for this study. Patients with clinical or electrophysiological evidence for concomitant large fiber neuropathy were not excluded.ResultsThe sensitivities of LDI_Flare, cooling and heat threshold testing were 64%, 36%, and 0% respectively for clinically highly suggestive small fiber neuropathy, 64%, 56%, and 19% respectively for mixed fiber neuropathy, and 86%, 79%, and 29% respectively for diabetic mixed fiber neuropathy.DiscussionLDI_Flare and cooling thresholds testing are non-invasive small nerve fiber testing modalities, with moderate performance in patients with small and mixed fiber neuropathy, and excellent performance in diabetic mixed fiber neuropathy.     

Design and total synthesis of (-)-codonopsinine, (-)-codonopsine and codonopsinine analogues by O-(2-oxopyrrolidin-5-yl)trichloroacetimidate as amidoalkylating agent with improved antimicrobial activity via solid lipid nanoparticle formulations

A general strategy towards total synthesis of (-)-codonopsinine, (-)-codonopsine and codonopsinine analogues has been developed from (D)-tartaric acid via the intermediate (3S,4R)-1-methyl-2-oxo-5-(2,2,2-trichloroacetamido)pyrrolidinediacetate (7). α-amidoalkylation studies of 7 with electron rich benzene derivative 8a-g as C-nucleophiles afforded (aryl derivatives) 9a-g. The target compounds 1, 2 and 13c-g were readily obtained from 10a-g via Grignard addition to the homochiral lactam which was produced by deoxygenation using Lewis-acid followed by deacetylation. The synthesized compounds were loaded onto solid lipid nanoparticle formulations (SLNs) prepared by hot emulsification-ultrasonication technique using Compritol as solid lipid and Pluronic f68 as surfactant. SLNs were fully evaluated and the permeation of synthesized compound from SLNs was assayed against non-formulated compounds through dialysis membranes using Franz cell. The data indicated good physical characteristics of the prepared SLNs, sustaining of release profiles and significant improvement of permeation ability when compared to the non-formulated compounds. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of 1, 2 and 13c-g were determined by disc diffusion and microbroth dilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against seven microorganisms (Staphyloccus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and Candida albicans). The most active compounds against the Gram positive S. aureus were 1, 13C, 13d, and 13g. Also, 13c, 13d, and 13e had antibacterial activity but not 13f against some Gram negative organisms (E. coli, and P. mirabilis). MIC concentrations against P. aeruginosa, and K. pneumoniae were?≥512?μg/ml, while that against A. baumannii was?≥128?μg/ml except for nanoformulae of 13e and 13f that were 16 and 64?μg/ml, respectively. No antifungal activity against Candida albicans was recorded for all compounds and their nanoformulae (MIC?>?1024?μg/ml). SLNs were found to decrease the MIC values for some of the compounds with no effect on the antifungal activity. In conclusion, we demonstrated a novel, straight-forward and economical procedure for the total synthesis of (-)-codonopsinine 1, (-)-codonopsine 2 and codonopsinine analogues 13c-g from simple and commercially available starting materials; d-tartaric acid; with antimicrobial activities against Gram positive and Gram-negative organisms that were improved by SLNs formulations.     

Effect of symbiont acquisition on growth,survival and fertility of the terrestrial isopod Porcellionides pruinosus (Crustacea,Oniscidea)

Growth rate, survival, mean size of reproductive females and fertility were assessed in the terrestrial isopod Porcellionides pruinosus fed an artificial diet supplemented with potential sources of symbionts. The acquisition of symbionts was experimentally manipulated through feeding experiments to investigate the effect of the acquisition mechanism on isopod performances over 4 months. Five groups of isolated newborn were fed differently (basal diet or control; basal diet with leaf litter, faeces, gut; and basal diet mixed with antibiotic), weighed and counted at 0, 2 and 4 months. Growth rate differed significantly between diet groups at 2 and 4 months. No significant difference of survival was detected, but groups fed on a diet with supplements (leaf litter, faeces and gut) had a higher rate of survival. Size and fertility of reproductive females differed significantly across diet groups. Our findings showed the importance of the acquisition mode of symbionts on the life history of Oniscidea and the role of diet intake on the performance of P. pruinosus.     

Rapid localization of Gag/GagPol complexes to detergent-resistant membrane during the assembly of human immunodeficiency virus type 1

During human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) assembly in HIV-1-transfected COS7 cells, almost all steady-state Gag/Gag and Gag/GagPol complexes are membrane bound. However, exposure to 1% Triton X-100 gives results indicating that while all Gag/GagPol complexes remain associated with the detergent-resistant membrane (DRM), only 30% of Gag/Gag complexes are associated with the DRM. Analysis of the localization of newly synthesized Gag/Gag and Gag/GagPol to the membrane indicates that after a 10-min pulse with radioactive [(35)S]Cys-[(35)S]Met, all newly synthesized Gag/GagPol is found at the DRM. Only 30% of newly synthesized Gag/Gag moves to the membrane, and at 0 min of chase, only 38% of this membrane-bound Gag/Gag is associated with the DRM. During the first 30 min of chase, most membrane-bound Gag/Gag moves to the DRM, while between 30 and 60 min of chase, there is a significant decrease in membrane-bound Gag/Gag and Gag/GagPol. Since the localization of newly synthesized Gag/Gag to the DRM and the interaction of GagPol with Gag both depend upon Gag multimerization, the rapid localization of GagPol to the DRM probably reflects the interaction of all newly synthesized GagPol with the first newly synthesized polymeric Gag to associate with the DRM.     

The interaction between HIV-1 Gag and human lysyl-tRNA synthetase during viral assembly

Human lysyl-tRNA synthetase (LysRS) is a tRNA-binding protein that is selectively packaged into HIV-1 along with its cognate tRNALys isoacceptors. Evidence exists that Gag alone is sufficient for the incorporation of LysRS into virions. Herein, using both in vitro and in vivo methods, we begin to map regions in Gag and LysRS that are required for this interaction. In vitro reactions between wild-type and truncated HIV-1 Gag and human LysRS were monitored using GST-tagged molecules and glutathione-agarose chromatography. Gag/LysRS interaction in vivo was detected in 293FT cells cotransfected with plasmids coding for wild-type or mutant HIV-1 Gag and LysRS, either by monitoring Gag.LysRS complexes immunoprecipitated from cell lysate with anti-LysRS or by measuring the ability of LysRS to be packaged into budded Gag viral-like particles. Based on these studies, we conclude that the Gag/LysRS interaction depends upon Gag sequences within the C-terminal domain of capsid (the last 54 amino acids) and amino acids 208-259 of LysRS. The latter domain includes the class II aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase consensus sequence known as motif 1. Both regions have been implicated in homodimerization of capsid and LysRS, respectively. Sequences falling outside these amino acid stretches can be deleted from either molecule without affecting the Gag/LysRS interaction, further supporting the observation that LysRS is incorporated into Gag viral-like particles independent of its ability to bind tRNALys.     

Perception of Body Ownership Is Driven by Bayesian Sensory Inference

Recent studies have shown that human perception of body ownership is highly malleable. A well-known example is the rubber hand illusion (RHI) wherein ownership over a dummy hand is experienced, and is generally believed to require synchronized stroking of real and dummy hands. Our goal was to elucidate the computational principles governing this phenomenon. We adopted the Bayesian causal inference model of multisensory perception and applied it to visual, proprioceptive, and tactile stimuli. The model reproduced the RHI, predicted that it can occur without tactile stimulation, and that synchronous stroking would enhance it. Various measures of ownership across two experiments confirmed the predictions: a large percentage of individuals experienced the illusion in the absence of any tactile stimulation, and synchronous stroking strengthened the illusion. Altogether, these findings suggest that perception of body ownership is governed by Bayesian causal inference—i.e., the same rule that appears to govern the perception of outside world.     

First Report of Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens Causing Cowpea Bacterial Wilt in Iran

During surveys in cowpea fields of Marand County, East Azerbaijan province, Iran, in the summer of 2013, a suspected bacterial disease was observed on cowpea leaves as tan spots and interveinal necrotic lesions surrounded by chlorotic margins. The disease was of high incidence where some fields had been fully destroyed and severity of the disease in some fields had reached up to 70%. Gram‐positive, yellow‐pigmented, coryneform bacteria were isolated from infected leaves. Pathogenicity of isolates was confirmed on 20‐day‐old cowpea (cv. Khoy) plants, and they were identified as Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens based on biochemical test results confirmed using specific PCR primers. This is the first report of C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens, the causal agent of cowpea bacterial wilt in Iran.